Weekly Roundup – Week of 3.3.25
March 7, 2025
Find the most talked about food and beverage industry news here – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Food For Thought: Will Coffee Soon Be Marketed To Kids?
Kiid Coffee is an innovative beverage designed to support children’s nutrition by acting as a vitamin supplement with minimal caffeine content. Co-founded by David Sanborn and his eight-year-old son Ethan, the brand challenges perceptions around coffee as an off-limits drink for kids. The product taps into growing better-for-you snacking trends and consumer interest in unique, health-conscious experiences. While retail placement presents a challenge, Kiid Coffee’s bulk packaging model offers a more affordable alternative to typical children’s nutrition beverages. The brand is set to gain national attention on ABC’s Shark Tank on March 7, potentially accelerating its journey into stores. Read Story
Brunch Is Back
Brunch has experienced a resurgence in popularity as consumers seek sociable dining experiences to counteract isolation. This trend has led to increased traffic during brunch hours, with Saturday brunch surpassing Friday lunch as the industry’s busiest daypart. To capitalize on this momentum, chefs are infusing brunch menus with global flavors, offering innovative dishes like Carne Asada Hash and Breakfast Kimchi Fried Rice. This evolution reflects a broader industry shift towards creative, globally inspired offerings that cater to consumers’ adventurous palates. Read More
Food Technology Meets Precision Fermentation
Precision fermentation has evolved from pharmaceutical applications to a transformative force in the food industry, enabling the production of specific molecules using microorganisms like yeast, fungi, or bacteria. This technology allows for the creation of tailored ingredients, such as proteins, flavors, and enzymes, with enhanced efficiency and sustainability compared to traditional methods. For the food and beverage industry, precision fermentation offers the potential to develop innovative products that meet consumer demands for sustainability and health, while also addressing challenges related to supply chain stability and environmental impact. Read Article
Collaborations Between Food Providers & Health Insurers Grow
FarmboxRx’s innovative “food-as-engagement” model signifies a notable shift in the food and beverage industry towards integrating nutrition with healthcare. By partnering with Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care organizations, FarmboxRx delivers fresh produce to underserved populations, addressing food insecurity and chronic disease management. This approach highlights a growing recognition of food’s role in preventive healthcare, potentially paving the way for similar collaborations between food providers and health insurers. The success of FarmboxRx underscores the industry’s potential to contribute to public health while opening new business avenues. Learn More
Top Trending Stories Making News This Week
This week’s FI News Review dishes out the top stories shaping the food and beverage sector. From shifting consumer confidence and billion-dollar acquisitions to the latest shake-ups in C-suite leadership, the industry is in flux. Plus, surprising insights into food delivery driver pay and the booming rise of culinary tourism signal significant changes ahead. Watch Full Video
Come back every Friday for the week’s most newsworthy F&B stories!
